First blog by Kemmett for Youth in Peace
Welcome to the first blog in our series: Youth in Peace, written by Kemmett, age 16.
As a neutral country, Switzerland is not thought of as a country currently actively participating in any wars. Switzerland has a mobilizable army which has international peacekeeping missions and is part of the NATO peace program. It is one of the biggest arms producers per capita in the world. Switzerland ships weapons to countries like Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Emirates.
Militarised police at the airms fair
Yesterday (Wednesday 13th June 2018), the Paris Police Prefecture carried out live demonstrations at the Eurosatory arms fair. The scenario was an anti-terrorist operation. There were also demonstrations by the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) and the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI).
President's report for General Assembly 2017
Stop Fuelling War President's report
It has been a year of consolidation and positive advancement. We are investing for now and for the future and we have faith that our approach will bring fruit.
We are guided by our Quaker peace witness, and it seems to us that the arms trade is perceived positively and the public in France is not aware of Eurosatory. So that is our message this year to raise awareness of Eurosatory being held in Paris giving the arms industry legitimacy and prestige and there are alternatives to the military industrial complex.
In March last year we set up as an association 1901 and this is our first AG. Since then the bureaucracy has been challenging not least because the delays in the 6th arrondisment. We have raised money which has enabled us to employ Holly part time since January and recently we have a journalist Anne-Sophie, with us to raise our profile in the media. Having someone based in Paris is making all the difference to our efficiency and networking. We currently have 55 members.
The How and Why?
Why am I part of ‘Stop Fuelling War’? Why do I help with organising the demonstrations? Why do I demonstrate at all?
These are not questions I already know the answers to. These are questions I use as a trick to get you reading these words. About five years ago I was an ordinary man like so many. Married, children, friends, hobbies. Yes, I was a Quaker then too. But I had not demonstrated in all my life.
I had not demonstrated all my life.
Why not?
“The artist speaks” 😉
Hello, my name is Erik Dries, I’m dutch and professional artist and I’m part of the steering committee of Stop Fuelling war. I like to draw and paint and so you’ll find cartoons and paintings I made on our website and during the demonstrations.
How does it work? How does a painting or drawing come alive?
Somebody asked me ‘do you see the picture in your mind when you start?’ Hmmm, I have never thought about that. I’d like to tell you something about this process of creating an illustration or a cartoon.
